Methods and apparatus to retrofit wired healthcare and fitness systems for wireless operation

ABSTRACT

Provided herein is an apparatus for converting a wired sensor system to a wireless sensor system. The apparatus can comprise a relay station comprising at least one antenna and at least one radio. The relay station can be adaptable to be integrated as at least one application specific integrated circuit and further adaptable to convert a wired sensor system into a wireless sensor system. Further provided are systems for converting wired sensor systems into wireless sensor systems and methods of use.

CROSS-REFERENCE

This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No.60/982,288, filed Oct. 24, 2007, which application is incorporatedherein by reference.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

While many other systems have gone wireless, the majority of healthcareand fitness monitoring system remain wired today. A typical wiredhealthcare system is shown in FIG. 1. The system shown in FIG. 1 can beused to monitor a variety of physiological parameters such aselectrocardiogram (ECG), electroencephalogram (EEG), electromyogram(EMG), blood glucose, blood pressure, heart rate, blood oxygensaturation (SpO₂), hydration, air flow, pressure, acceleration andtemperature. In the system shown, the sensors are placed on thesubject's body to measure the desired physiological parameters. Thesesensors are connected to an anchor medical device which is called thehost in the system. The host device can be any healthcare related devicesuch as a bedside patient monitor, holster monitor, glucose meter, EEGsystem, blood pressure monitor, and/or a mobile health monitor. The hostcan be a stationary platform, a portable device or a mobile device. Asshown, the wired sensor system typically feeds the data to the host viaa wired host bus. The type of host bus is defined during the initialdesign of the healthcare system.

The tethering of patients to healthcare systems creates many problemstoday. The leads connected to sensors are reused among various patientsoften causing infection, leading to even death in many cases. Wires alsocome in the way of clinicians and caretakers resulting in lowerproductivity, poorer quality of care and lower reliability as wiresfrequently come off. Furthermore, tethering is a major discomfort forpatients, particularly when extended monitoring is involved. Due tothese and many other reasons, it would be desirable to make healthcaremonitoring systems totally wireless, thereby untethering patients fromhost systems.

There is a large installed base of a variety of host systems withtethered sensors—bedside patient monitors in hospitals and clinics;portable host devices for ambulatory monitoring (such as holtermonitors). It is highly desirable to retrofit these legacy systems forwireless monitoring. For wireless monitoring to be widespread, theretrofitted wireless scheme must be able to compete with the wiredsystems in every way. The wireless link must be as reliable as a wire.The wireless sensors attached to the body must be ultra low cost, mustdissipate very low power for multi day operation, and must be physicallysmall and disposable. Furthermore, the wireless adaptor plugged intohost system must be compact, low power, and low cost.

There have been recent attempts to create wireless systems some of whichhave been introduced in the market. However, all these systems havewireless sensors, host systems and adaptors which are bulky, high power,expensive and have questionable reliability. It makes them unsuitable tocompete with wired solutions for large scale deployment. The inventiondescribed herein proposes a scheme to retrofit the existing wiredsystems for wireless operation based on integrated semiconductorsolutions with attributes to compete with today's wired systems to meetthe mass market needs. The proposed scheme transforms the wired systemas shown in FIG. 1 to a wireless system in a transparent manner andwithout an impact on the core infrastructure of the system, includingthe host's hardware or software, also known as retrofitting.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Provided herein is an apparatus for converting a wired sensor system toa wireless sensor system. The apparatus can comprise a relay stationcomprising at least one antenna and at least one radio. The relaystation can be adaptable to be integrated as at least one applicationspecific integrated circuit and further adaptable to convert a wiredsensor system into a wireless sensor system. Furthermore, the relaystation can further comprise a transcoder. The transcoder can beadaptable to demultiplex data received by the relay station, data to besent to the relay station, or data communicated to the relay station.Additionally, the relay station can further comprise a host interfaceunit adaptable to transmit data from the relay station to a host deviceusing a host device bus scheme. The host bus scheme can be selected fromat least one of a universal serial bus (USB), a mini universal serialbus (mini USB), a secure digital, a mini secure digital, a peripheralcomponent interconnect (PCI), a mini peripheral component interconnect(a mini PCI), an analog bus, or any suitable combination thereof. Insome embodiments, the apparatus can further comprise a connectoradaptable to communicate with a host device. The connector can comprisea bus adaptable to be in communication with the host device. The relaystation can further comprise more than one radio. In addition, the relaystation can be further adaptable to be in communication with a wirelesspatch adaptable be integrated with at least one application specificintegrated circuit. The relay station can be further adaptable totransmit data from a wireless sensor to a host device. Alternatively,the relay station can be further adaptable to transmit data from a hostdevice to a wireless sensor. In some embodiments, the relay station isadaptable to use at least one host radio to wirelessly send datareceived from the sensors to a host having wireless connectivity withthe relay station. The host radio can be adaptable to use at least oneof radio scheme wherein the at least one radio scheme is selected fromWi-Fi, Bluetooth, ZigBee, wireless medical telemetry service (WMTS),medical implant communications service (MICS), a narrowband radio, or anultrawideband radio.

Further provided herein is an apparatus for converting a wired sensorsystem to a wireless sensor system comprising: a relay stationcomprising at least one antenna, the relay station adaptable to converta wired sensor system into a wireless sensor system; and at least twocomplementary radios, each complementary radio having an antenna. The atleast two complementary radios are Ultrawideband and narrowband radios.The two complementary radios can be adaptable to operate in a low powermode and a high power mode. Furthermore, the at least two complementaryradios are adaptable to operate in a short range mode and a high rangemode. The relay station can be adaptable to be in communication with twodifferent radios. The two complementary radios can also make thewireless link reliable and robust through radio diversity. There is ahigh probability that one of the complementary radios will beoperational when the other suffers an outage due to multipath fading orinterference.

Further provided herein is a system integrated as at least oneapplication specific integrated circuit for converting a wired sensorsystem to a wireless sensor system comprising: a relay station adaptableto convert a wired sensor system to a wireless sensor system; and atleast one wireless patch comprising a wireless sensor and at least oneradio, wherein the relay station is adaptable to convert a wired sensorsystem to a wireless sensor system. The at least one wireless patch canfurther comprise an analog to digital converter. In some embodiments,more than one wireless patch can communicate with the relay station, therelay station adaptable to receive more than one signal. The radio canmultiplex the more than one signal to transmit the signal.

Methods of detecting a signal are also provided herein. Disclosed is amethod of detecting a signal using a wireless sensor system comprising:(a) detecting at least one signal from a signal source; (b) transmittingthe signal in digital format to a relay station comprising at least oneantenna and at least one radio, the relay station integrated as at leastone application specific integrated circuit and further adaptable toconvert a wired sensor system into a wireless sensor system; (c)processing the data received with the relay station; and (d)transmitting the processed data to a host device. The at least onesignal can be an analog signal. The method can further comprise the stepof converting the analog signal to a digital signal prior to thetransmitting step. Additionally, the method can further comprise thestep of converting the digital signal to an analog signal prior to thetransmitting step.

Further provided herein is a method of retrofitting a wired healthcaresystem into a wireless healthcare system comprising: retrofitting awired healthcare system with an adapter member in communication with awired healthcare system, the adapter member comprising at least oneantenna and at least one radio, wherein the adapter member is adaptableto be integrated as at least one application specific integrated circuitand further adaptable to convert a wired healthcare system into awireless healthcare system. The method can further comprise the step ofapplying at least one wireless patch to a patient, the wireless patchadaptable to detect a physiological parameter and further adaptable tocommunicate with the adapter member.

INCORPORATION BY REFERENCE

All publications, patents, and patent applications mentioned in thisspecification are herein incorporated by reference to the same extent asif each individual publication, patent, or patent application wasspecifically and individually indicated to be incorporated by reference.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The novel features of the invention are set forth with particularity inthe appended claims. A better understanding of the features andadvantages of the present invention will be obtained by reference to thefollowing detailed description that sets forth illustrative embodiments,in which the principles of the invention are utilized, and theaccompanying drawings of which:

FIG. 1 is a schematic illustration showing the components of a wiredhealthcare system;

FIG. 2 is a schematic illustration showing the components of a wirelesshealthcare system;

FIG. 3 is a graph illustrating the attributes of wired and wirelesssystems;

FIG. 4 is an illustration of one embodiment of a wireless sensor ormicropatch; and

FIG. 5 is an illustration of one embodiment of a relay station andrelated components.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Provided herein is a system for retrofitting a wired sensor system intoa wireless sensor system by attaching an adapter device to the sensorsystem to be modified. Further provided herein is a method forretrofitting a wired system into a wireless system by connecting thesensor to the host system via a host bus without impacting the hardwareor software of the system. The concept of retrofitting a wiredhealthcare system has been previously described in foreign applicationPCT/US07/62772, filed on Feb. 23, 2007, U.S. application Ser. No.12/134,151, filed on Jun. 5, 2008, and U.S. Ser. Nos. 60/968,023 filedon Aug. 21, 2007, which are herein incorporated by reference in theirentirety.

Provided herein is an apparatus for converting a wired sensor system toa wireless sensor system. The apparatus can comprise a relay stationcomprising at least one antenna and at least one radio. The relaystation can be adaptable to be integrated as at least one applicationspecific integrated circuit and further adaptable to convert a wiredsensor system into a wireless sensor system. Furthermore, the relaystation can further comprise a transcoder. The transcoder can beadaptable to demultiplex data received by the relay station, data to besent to the relay station, or data communicated to the relay station.Additionally, the relay station can further comprise a host interfaceunit adaptable to transmit data from the relay station to a host deviceusing a host device bus scheme. The host bus scheme can be selected fromat least one of a universal serial bus (USB), a mini universal serialbus (mini USB), a secure digital, a mini secure digital, a peripheralcomponent interconnect (PCI), a mini peripheral component interconnect(a mini PCI), an analog bus, or any suitable combination thereof. Insome embodiments, the apparatus can further comprise a connectoradaptable to communicate with a host device. The connector can comprisea bus adaptable to be in communication with the host device. The relaystation can further comprise more than one radio. In addition, the relaystation can be further adaptable to be in communication with a wirelesspatch adaptable be integrated with at least one application specificintegrated circuit. The relay station can be further adaptable totransmit data from a wireless sensor to a host device. Alternatively,the relay station can be further adaptable to transmit data from a hostdevice to a wireless sensor. In some embodiments, the relay station isadaptable to use at least one host radio to wirelessly send datareceived from the sensors to a host having wireless connectivity withthe relay station. The host radio can be adaptable to use at least oneof radio scheme wherein the at least one radio scheme is selected fromWi-Fi, Bluetooth, ZigBee, wireless medical telemetry service (WMTS),medical implant communications service (MICS), a narrowband radio, or anultrawideband radio.

Further provided herein is an apparatus for converting a wired sensorsystem to a wireless sensor system comprising: a relay stationcomprising at least one antenna, the relay station adaptable to converta wired sensor system into a wireless sensor system; and at least twocomplementary radios, each complementary radio having an antenna. The atleast two complementary radios are ultrawideband narrowband radios. Thetwo complementary radios can be adaptable to operate in a low power modeand a high power mode. Furthermore, the at least two complementaryradios are adaptable to operate in a short range mode and a high rangemode. The relay station can be adaptable to be in communication with twodifferent radios. The two complementary radios also make the wirelesslink reliable and robust through radio diversity. There is a highprobability that one of the complementary radios will be operationalwhen the other suffers an outage due to multipath fading orinterference. The concept of complementary radio based communication hasbeen previously described in a foreign application, PCT/US08/003088,filed on Mar. 7, 2008, U.S. Provisional Application Ser. No. 60/894,174,filed on Mar. 9, 2007, and U.S. Provisional Application Ser. No.60/894,093, filed on Mar. 9, 2007, which are incorporated herein intheir entirety.

I. Devices

FIG. 1 shows a wired healthcare or fitness system. The wired sensorsystem can comprise leads in communication with a patient and a host.The host can be stationary, portable, or mobile, or any combinationthereof. The host can be in communication with the patient through ahost but. The host can further be in communication with an optionalnetwork and server. The wired system of FIG. 1 can be retrofitted forwireless operation as shown in FIG. 2 by using a wireless sensor system.FIG. 2 illustrates a wireless sensor system for use with a healthcareand/or fitness system. The wireless sensor system comprises patches, forexample, micropatches (μpatches), as shown in the figure. Themicropatches can be in wireless communication with a relay station,indicated as microbase (μbase) in the figure. The microbase can be incommunication with a host through a host bus. The host can bestationary, portable, or mobile, or any combination thereof. The hostcan then be in communication with an optional network and server. Thesystem utilizes wireless sensors in the form of micropatches that areplaced on the body of subject. The micropatches comprise the same typeof basic sensors as used in the wired system. In addition, themicropatches comprise a radio system that can transmit the data to abase device as shown in FIG. 2. The base is attached to the host deviceof the healthcare system that needs to be made wireless. Instead ofusing wired links between the patches and the base, the system can nowwirelessly receive physiological data from a subject's body. This canprovide the subject with increased mobility while providing the samefunctionality as a wired system.

Provided herein is a system for retrofitting a wired sensor system usingapplication specific integrated circuits (ASIC). The invention disclosedherein further comprises micropatches and microbases using applicationspecific integrated circuit (ASIC) devices. The use of ASIC with thesystem facilitates the economics and size/power advantages ofsemiconductor technology for large scale deployment. FIG. 3 is a graphillustrating the attributes of highly integrated ASIC technology forwireless solutions to compete with today's wired solutions. As shown inFIG. 3, currently, reference points are established by wired solutionsin terms of low cost and high link reliability for application capableof continuous monitoring. FIG. 3 also illustrates the combinationspossible with standard radio chips, based on conventional radio chipscombined with other chips to support sensor signal processing. Thepossible combination can require the use of many chips, which can makesuch combinations expensive, bulky, and/or requiring large amounts ofpower resulting in the need for a larger battery. Furthermore, wirelesslink reliability of conventional systems can be relatively low comparedto conventional consumer grade radios which are not designed forsensitive healthcare applications. The combinations can not enable highvolume applications served by wired solutions today.

Therefore, optimal solutions can be developed using highly integratedASIC designs that can combine a high reliability robust radio with otherneeded functions including, but not limited to, sensor signal processingcircuits. In some embodiments, the architectures of micropatch ASIC andmicrobase ASIC can be been defined as a set. In such an embodiment, ahigh reliability radio can be designed by asymmetrically distributingthe cost and/or power between to the micropatch ASIC and microbase ASIC.The requirements of the micropatches can be more stringent than therequirements of the microbases. Using an ASIC chipset, it can becomespossible to push the cost and power from the micropatch ASIC to themicrobase ASIC. Technologies along these lines have been disclosed inthe patent applications referenced herein.

FIG. 4 is illustrates a high level block diagram of an ASIC that can beused with a micropatch. The microbase or relay station can act as abridge between the micropatch and the host device for retrofitting. Themicrobase can receive data from the micropatch and can then rearrangethe data as needed to present it to the host. The microbase can presentthe data to the host using the host bus, in the same way as the host wasreceiving data from the wired sensors (as shown in FIG. 1).

FIG. 5 illustrates one embodiment of a functional diagram of a relaystation. The relay station can be largely implemented on an ASIC. Therelay station can be in communication with the micropatches through awireless link. In one embodiment, the relay station can be comprised ofan antenna, a radio, a transcoder, and a host interface unit (I/F). Aconnector in communication with the relay station can also be incommunication with a host. The connector can be in communication withthe host through a bus. On one end of the base, the base can wirelesslycommunicates with the micropatches through at least one an antenna.Additionally, the base can communicate with the micropatches using atleast one radio. The base can be designed to work with any suitableradio scheme including, but not limited to WiFi, Bluetooth, ZigBee,ultrawideband (UWB), medical implant communications service (MICS),wireless medical telemetry service (WMTS), any suitable narrowbandradio, any other suitable standard or proprietary based radio, orcombination thereof.

Traditional wired healthcare systems utilize sensors positioned on thebody of a patient which are directly connected to a host device usingwires. Traditional wired healthcare systems include electrocardiogram(ECG), electroencephalogram (EEG), and electromyogram (EMG) systems. Inthose systems, the host device accepts the analog signal that isdetected by the sensors. The host typically accepts multiple suchanalogue signals in parallel from multiple leads. For example, ECGsystems can use three, five, seven, or twelve leads. Therefore, the hostdevice can an have an analog bus that can accept multiple parallelanalog signals, or an analog lead for accepting a single analog signal.Wireless sensor systems, as provided herein, can use a digital radio tosend the sensor data from the micropatches to the base. The analogsignal from the sensor can be converted into a digital format throughone or more analog to digital (A/D) converters. The digital data is thensent to the radio on the micropatch. The radio can then send theinformation from the sensor to the base. In some embodiments, the radiotransmits the information from one sensor. In some embodiments, theradio transmits data from several body sensors to the base. Themicropatch radio can multiplex several sensor signals using amultiplexing scheme, such as, time, frequency, or code multiplexing.

The data received by the base radio can then pass through a transcoderon the base. The transcoder can function to rearrange the data coming inat the antenna from the wireless connection in a manner that makes thedata appear identical to the way the data would flow if using a wiredsensor connected to the host device. For example, wired leads may feedthe data to the host in a parallel fashion through certain connectordevice. In some embodiments of the wireless healthcare system, the datamay be coming from equivalent wireless micropatches, in a multiplexedfashion over the radio link. In this case, the transcoder can collectthe multiple equivalent signals from the micropatches that correspond tothe multiple wired sensors of a wired system. The transcoder can thendemultiplex the data, or perform any other suitable processing of thedata, to convert it to parallel channels that are equivalent to thewired system. In summary, the transcoder will collect the data from thewireless micropatches through the radio as dictated by the radioprotocol. The transcoder can then rearrange the data received from themicropatches into a format that the host is used to receiving whenattached to wired leads. After the data has been rearranged, thetranscoder can then send data to the host interface unit (host I/F), asshown in FIG. 5. The transcoder can also have a digital-to-analogconverter to convert the digital stream into one or more analogwaveforms that are equivalent to a wired system. The parallel analogwaveforms can be fed to the host using the same connector device that isused in the corresponding wired system.

In some embodiments, a stand alone base with a built in radio can beused with a patch comprising a radio system that is different from thebuilt-in radio connectivity of the wireless host device. The base can bedesigned so that it connects two different radio systems together. Thebase can receive data from the micropatch using a radio that iscompatible with the micropatches. The trans coder can decode andrearrange the received data in a manner consistent with the radio of thehost device. The base can then retransmit the data to the host using aradio that is compatible with the device. Similarly, the data can alsoflow in a reverse path, from the host to the micropatches. The host I/Fand connector in the base as shown in FIG. 5 become the radio system ofthe host device. The base can then communicate with two radio systems.For example, the radio system for the micropatches can be based onultrawideband (UWB) or ZigBee and the radio system on the host devicecan be Bluetooth or WiFi.

The host I/F unit can then transmit the data to the host using thehost's bus scheme. In some embodiments, the host bus can be a USB bus.The host bus can be any suitable bus including, but not limited to, USB,Mini USB, secure digital (SD), mini secure digital (Mini SD), PCI, MiniPCI, an analog bus, any suitable standard or proprietary wired bus, orany combination to thereof. The data from the host I/F circuits can thenflow to the host through an appropriate connector as shown in FIG. 3.For example purposes only, in an embodiment where a USB bus is used, theconnector will be the mechanical USB connector.

In some embodiments, the micropatches can communicate with the base. Insome embodiments, the base can communicate with the micropatches. Thebase can transmit information from the host to the micropatches in aseamless or transparent manner. The host device can initiatemeasurements in whatever manner the host device uses when wiredelectrodes are used. The relay device can detect such measurementinitiation and send a command to the wireless sensor to start themeasurement. The relay device can then get a response from the sensorand relay the response back to the host device. For example purposesonly, a patient monitor in the hospital could initiate periodicpulse-oximetry measurements by sending signals through the wires tolight LEDs of the pulse-oximetry device attached to a finger, and elicita response from the photo detector in the device, which then comes backto the monitor through some other wire. The relay station of the deviceprovided herein could then detect the start of such a measurementthrough its interface to the host device, and send a wireless command tothe patch to light up light emitting diodes (LEDs) and collect aresponse from the photodetector. The response can then be sent back tothe relay station, which can then relay the response to a monitor. Tothe monitor the whole exchange between the base and the sensor wouldappear as if it had occurred through a wired system. Additionally, thecomponents can perform their functions in reverse order.

The base shown in FIG. 5 can be implemented in a variety of ways. Thebase can be a dongle or a card that connects to the host device.Alternatively, the base can be a stand-alone module that has one or morecables with connectors that can then be plugged into the host device.The base can have its own power supply. Alternatively, the device can bepowered by the host device through the one or more cables. The base canbe a component of the host device, wherein the base is housed within thehost device. The base can be a wireless stand alone module that connectsthe patches with the host device wirelessly. The base can exist in anysuitable form for transferring data from the patches to the host device.

In some embodiments, the components of the base can compriseoff-the-shelf devices. Alternatively, the components of the base can beintegrated in an application specific integrated circuit (ASIC) chip.

II. Systems

Further provided herein is a system integrated as at least oneapplication specific integrated circuit for converting a wired sensorsystem to a wireless sensor system comprising: a relay station adaptableto convert a wired sensor system to a wireless sensor system; and atleast one wireless patch comprising a wireless sensor and at least oneradio, wherein the relay station is adaptable to convert a wired sensorsystem to a wireless sensor system. The at least one wireless patch canfurther comprise an analog to digital converter. In some embodiments,more than one wireless patch can communicate with the relay station, therelay station adaptable to receive more than one signal. The radio canmultiplex the more than one signal to transmit the signal.

III. Methods

Methods of detecting a signal are also provided herein. Disclosed is amethod of detecting a signal using a wireless sensor system comprising:(a) detecting at least one signal from a signal source; (b) transmittingthe signal in digital format to a relay station comprising at least oneantenna and at least one radio, the relay station integrated as at leastone application specific integrated circuit and further adaptable toconvert a wired sensor system into a wireless sensor system; (c)processing the data received with the relay station; and (d)transmitting the processed data to a host device. The at least onesignal can be an analog signal. The method can further comprise the stepof converting the analog signal to a digital signal prior to thetransmitting step. Additionally, the method can further comprise thestep of converting the digital signal to an analog signal prior to thetransmitting step.

Further provided herein is a method of retrofitting a wired healthcaresystem into a wireless healthcare system comprising: retrofitting awired healthcare system with an adapter member in communication with awired healthcare system, the adapter member comprising at least oneantenna and at least one radio, wherein the adapter member is adaptableto be integrated as at least one application specific integrated circuitand further adaptable to convert a wired healthcare system into awireless healthcare system. The method can further comprise the step ofapplying at least one wireless patch to a patient, the wireless patchadaptable to detect a physiological parameter and further adaptable tocommunicate with the adapter member.

While preferred embodiments of the present invention have been shown anddescribed herein, it will be obvious to those skilled in the art thatsuch embodiments are provided by way of example only. Numerousvariations, changes, and substitutions will now occur to those skilledin the art without departing from the invention. It should be understoodthat various alternatives to the embodiments of the invention describedherein may be employed in practicing the invention. It is intended thatthe following claims define the scope of the invention and that methodsand structures within the scope of these claims and their equivalents becovered thereby.

What is claimed is:
 1. A system for monitoring a physiological parameterof a subject with the aid of a relay station that converts a wiredsensor system into a wireless sensor system, comprising: a host deviceconfigured to monitor said physiological parameter of said subject; arelay station that is in communication with said host device whereinsaid relay station comprises i) at least one antenna, ii) at least oneradio coupled to said at least one antenna, and iii) a host interfaceunit that, with the aid of said at least one radio, transmits data fromthe relay station to said host device, wherein said relay station isintegrated as at least one application specific integrated circuit, andwherein said relay station is configured to convert a wired sensorsystem into a wireless sensor system; and a portable patch that is inwireless communication with said relay station, wherein said portablepatch comprises i) at least one antenna, ii) at least one radio coupledto said at least one antenna, iii) at least one sensor, and iv) anapplication specific integrated circuit coupled to said at least onesensor, wherein, with the aid of said at least one sensor, said portablepatch collects sensor data from said subject and, with the aid of saidat least one radio of said portable patch, transmits said sensor data tosaid relay station, wherein said relay station receives said sensor datafrom said portable patch, rearranges said sensor data to an analog ordigital format, and transmits said sensor data to said host device, andwherein said at least one radio of said relay station and said at leastone radio of said portable patch are complementary radios such that,upon operation of said at least one radio of said relay station and saidat least one radio of said portable patch, power is distributedasymmetrically between said relay station and said portable patch. 2.The system of claim 1 wherein the relay station further comprises atranscoder that demultiplex data received by the relay station into aformat recognizable by said host device.
 3. The system of claim 1wherein the host interface unit transmits data from the relay station tothe host device using a host device bus scheme.
 4. The system of claim 3wherein the host bus scheme is at least one of a universal serial bus, amini universal serial bus, a secure digital, a mini secure digital, aperipheral component interconnect, a mini peripheral componentinterconnect, or an analog bus.
 5. The system of claim 1 furthercomprising a connector to communicate with a host device.
 6. The systemof claim 5 wherein the connector comprises a bus that is incommunication with the host device.
 7. The system of claim 1 wherein therelay station further comprises more than one radio.
 8. The system ofclaim 1 wherein the portable patch is integrated with said applicationspecific integrated circuit.
 9. The system of claim 1 wherein the relaystation transmits data from said host device to said portable patch. 10.The system of claim 1 wherein the relay station uses at least one hostradio to wirelessly send data received from said portable patch to saidhost device having wireless connectivity with the relay station.
 11. Thesystem of claim 10 wherein said host radio uses at least one of radioscheme.
 12. The system of claim 11 wherein the at least one radio schemeis selected from Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, ZigBee, wireless medical telemetryservice, medical implant communications service, a narrowband radio, oran ultrawideband radio.
 13. The system of claim 1 wherein thecomplementary radios are ultrawideband and narrowband radios.
 14. Thesystem of claim 1 wherein the complementary radios operate in a lowpower mode and a high power mode.
 15. The system of claim 1 wherein thecomplementary radios operate in a short range mode and a high rangemode.
 16. The system of claim 1 wherein the relay station is incommunication with two different radios.
 17. The system of claim 1wherein the portable patch further comprises an analog to digitalconverter.
 18. The system of claim 1 further comprising more than oneportable patch in communication with the relay station.
 19. The systemof claim 1 wherein the relay station receives more than one signal. 20.The system of claim 1, wherein said at least one radio of said portablepatch comprises a radio containing an ultra wideband (UWB) transmitterand a narrowband receiver.
 21. The system of claim 20, wherein said atleast one radio of the relay station comprises a UWB receiver and anarrowband transmitter.
 22. The system of claim 1, wherein the portablepatch is integrated as at least one application specific integratedcircuit.
 23. A method for monitoring a physiological parameter of asubject, comprising: (a) detecting sensor data from said subject withthe aid of a portable patch comprising i) at least one antenna, ii) atleast one radio coupled to said at least one antenna, iii) at least onesensor, and iv) an application specific integrated circuit coupled tosaid at least one sensor; (b) transmitting the sensor data from saidportable patch to a relay station that is in wireless communication withsaid portable patch, said relay station comprising i) at least oneantenna, ii) at least one radio coupled to said at least one antenna,and iii) a host interface unit, wherein the relay station is integratedas at least one application specific integrated circuit, and wherein therelay station is configured to convert a wired sensor system into awireless sensor system; (c) processing the sensor data received with therelay station, said processing comprising rearranging said sensor datato analog or digital format; and (d) transmitting the processed data toa host device configured to monitor said physiological parameter of saidsubject, wherein said at least one radio of said relay station and saidat least one radio of said portable patch are complementary radios suchthat, upon operation of said at least one radio of said relay stationand said at least one radio of said portable patch, power is distributedasymmetrically between said relay station and said portable patch. 24.The method of claim 23 wherein the sensor data comprises at least onesignal that is an analog signal.
 25. The method of claim 24 furthercomprising the step of converting the analog signal to a digital signalprior to step (b).
 26. The method of claim 23 further comprising thestep of converting the digital signal to an analog signal prior to step(d).
 27. The method of claim 23, wherein processing the data in (c)comprises rearranging the data received from the patch into a formatthat is readable by the host device.
 28. The method of claim 23, whereinthe portable patch is integrated as at least one application specificintegrated circuit.
 29. The method of claim 23, wherein the relaystation uses at least one host radio to wirelessly send data receivedfrom said portable patch to said host device having wirelessconnectivity with the relay station.
 30. The method of claim 29, whereinsaid host radio uses at least one of radio scheme selected from Wi-Fi,Bluetooth, ZigBee, wireless medical telemetry service, medical implantcommunications service, a narrowband radio, and an ultrawideband radio.31. The method of claim 23, wherein said at least one radio of saidportable patch comprises a radio containing an ultra wideband (UWB)transmitter and a narrowband receiver.
 32. The method of claim 31,wherein said at least one radio of said relay station comprises a UWBreceiver and a narrowband transmitter.
 33. The method of claim 23further comprising applying said portable patch to said subject prior to(a).